BC at Hiram preview

Bluffton vs. Hiram


By Ben Risinger, SID
September 8, 2003
The Matchup

            When: Saturday, September 13, 2003 at 1 p.m.

            Where:  Hiram, Ohio – Charles A. Henry field

            On the Radio: Listen live to Bluffton College football on
                WDOH 107.1FM. The game can also be found on the
                internet at www.wdoh.com.

  

    Bluffton College will open their 2003 campaign on the road against Hiram College.  The Beavers finished 2002 with a 3-7 overall record, 1-5 in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference. The Beavers will look anew as former coach Carlin Carpenter is gone, being replaced by longtime offensive coordinator, Greg Brooks. Last season, Bluffton defeated Hiram in a shutout win 45-0. Hiram (0-1) was defeated last week by Grove City, 68-20. The Terriers finished the 2002 season at 0-10.

 

The Coaches

   Bluffton coach Greg Brooks makes his head coaching debut. He took over the BC program after the retirement of former coach, Carlin Carpenter. Brooks is no stranger to the Bluffton program having been the offensive coordinator for the past 23 years. Brooks is a 1977 graduate of Ohio University where he was quarterback and a four-year letterman for the Bobcats.

   Hiram is led by third year coach Mike Meyer. Meyer has a 3-18 overall record for the Terriers and in his head coaching career. Meyer was 11-year assistant coach at Ohio Northern University before his stop at Hiram.

 

Series History

   Bluffton holds a 4-3 advantage over the Terriers in the series. Bluffton won last years meeting 45-0. The Beavers have won three out of the last five matchups with Hiram and own a 201-135 points advantage.

 

Last Year’s Contest

   Bluffton’s shut-out win came as the first home game of the season last year. The Beavers racked up the yardage with 549 yards in total offense and set Salzman Stadium records with 396 yards rushing and six rushing touchdowns as the Beavers out-gained Hiram by 482 yards. The Bluffton also set three records by holding Hiram to 22 yards rushing, 45 yards passing and 67 yards in total offense.

  Ben Dodds led the way offensively with 168 yards and a touchdown in his first collegiate start.

Last Week
   The Beavers had the first week of the football season off with their bye of the season. Hiram was defeated by Grove City 68-20 in their season opener. Hiram had 231 total offensive yards, 224 passing and only seven rushing.

 
Last Season

   Bluffton finished the 2002 campaign at 3-7 (1-5 HCAC). Hiram went 0-10 on the year. The Beavers will be looking for a win as they dropped four of their last six games in 2002 and their final two games overall.

Next up for the Beavers

   Bluffton will be at home next Saturday for their home opener against Thiel. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.